Maxims of Ptahhotep

Ptahhotep pictured left being carried in a palanquin. The oldest copy pictured right, written in hieratic, a cursive form of hieroglyphics.

The Maxims of Ptahhotep (by 1800 BC) is an Egyptian book of father-to-son advice, 36 maxims ascribed to Ptahhotep, vizier of King Djedkara (-2414 to -2375).

It is is arguably the oldest book that still is. But that depends on when you date it and how you define “book”. It was written sometime between the -2300s and -1800s. If in the -2300s, then it is the oldest literary work we have from Egypt: writings that are clearly older are in the nature of inscriptions and government records.

There are older books that are lost, like Imhotep’s own book of wisdom from the -2600s.

Date: Between the -2300s and -1800s. The book itself says it is written in the time of King Djedkara, by -2375 in otherwords. The language and values expressed were meant to seem that old. But it is written in Middle Egyptian, spoken from -2100 to -1600. There is no sign that it was translated from the Old Egyptian current in the -2300s. That means it was written no earlier than -2100. The oldest copy we have, Papyrus Prisse, was written in the -1800s, judging from its style of handwriting.

Target demographic: Elite males. And it shows, not just in its classism and sexism, but in its belief in Just World Doctrine, common among the sheltered: keep your nose clean and all will go well – the gods are in control and they hate evil!

The maxims: In Papyrus Prisse they start in red ink, with the the rest in black ink. The idiomatic Egyptian makes it hard to understand in places, as you will see in the translation below:

Excerpts:

Maxim #18: On greed: 

If you wish your conduct to be good
and to save yourself from all evil,
resist the opportunity of greed.
It is a sore disease of the worm,
no advance can come of it.
It embroils fathers and mothers,
with mother’s brothers.
It entangles the wife and the man,
it is a levy of all evils,
a bundle of all hatefulness.
The man endures whose guideline is Right [Maat],
who proceeds according to his paces.
He can draw up a will by it.
There is no tomb for the greedy hearted.

Maxim #20: On wives:

If you are excellent, found your household,
love your wife within reckoning.
Fill her belly, clother her back,
ointment is the remedy for her body.
Gladden her heart as long as you live.
It is a field of benefit for its lord.
Do not impose her in affairs.
Distance her from power, restrain her.
Her eye is her storm when it sees.
This is what keeps her in your house.
Your quelling her, is water.
The womb puts her in her arms.
In her turmoil a canal is made for her.

Maxim #31: On woman-boys:

Do not have sex with a child woman [woman-boy]
when you knew the approach to the water [= sperm] of its chest.
There is no cooling what is in his body.
Do not go mad on making the approach.
He is cool after damaging his heart.

– Abagond, +2023. 

Sources: Translation from ucl.ac.uk; Dating from “Middle Egyptian Literature” (2015) by James P. Allen. 

See also:

• External links:
  • Maxims of Ptahhotep – text of the English translation with transcription of the original Egyptian
• century readings
• Egyptian
• Imhotep
• Maat
• just world doctrine
• timelines:
  • Egypt: a brief history
  • Bible chronology

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